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A new microendemic gecko from the small forest fragments of south-eastern Madagascar (Squamata, Gekkonidae, Paragehyra)

by: Belluardo, Francesco; Piccoli, Costanza; Lobón-Rovira, Javier; Oliveira Alves, Ivo; Rasoazanany, Malalatiana; Andreone, Franco; Goncalo, Gonçalo M.; Crottini, Angelica

Publication date: 2025-06-02
Usage: Attribution 4.0 International
Topics: Community-based management, deforestation, integrative taxonomy, mitochondrial DNA, morphology, nuclear DNA, reptiles
Publisher: Pensoft Publishers
Collection: biodiversity
Contributor: Pensoft Publishers
Language: English
Rights: https://biodiversitylibrary.org/permissions
Rights-holder: Copyright held by individual article author(s).
Volume: 1240
Item Size: 57.3M

Abstract: Historically, herpetological research in Madagascar has largely overlooked small forest fragments outside the country protected area network. Despite substantial declines in species diversity compared to large continuous forests, these fragments continue to sustain diverse herpetological communities and frequently harbour microendemic species. We describe a new gecko belonging to the genus Paragehyra, apparently microendemic to small and isolated forest fragments surrounding the Andringitra Massif in south-eastern Madagascar. Paragehyra tsaranoro sp. nov. is different from its congeneric species based on genetic distances in mitochondrial markers (16S and COI), phylogenetic position, and the lack of haplotype sharing at one nuclear locus (POMC). The new species is also distinguishable from its congeners based on a combination of 14 morphological characters. New genetic and morphological data are also provided for the sympatric P. felicitae and we propose a new assessment of its conservation status within the IUCN Red List. Paragehyra tsaranoro sp. nov. and P. felicitae are mostly found in forest fragments managed by local communities (community-managed reserves) outside legally protected areas. This study highlights the importance of community-based management for the conservation of local herpetofauna, particularly in regions heavily impacted by anthropogenic pressure and largely unsuitable for forest-dwelling species. The findings emphasise the importance of conducting research on small forest fragments, as they are essential for completing the inventory of Malagasy herpetofauna.
Addeddate: 2025-06-02 21:43:00
Bhl_virtual_titleid: 210914
Bhl_virtual_volume: v.1240 (2025)
Call number: 10_3897_zookeys_1240_151016
Call-number: 10_3897_zookeys_1240_151016
Foldoutcount: 0
Genre: article
Identifier: newmicroendemic1240bell
Identifier-ark: ark:/13960/s2j41xqnkm9
Identifier-bib: 10_3897_zookeys_1240_151016
Identifier-doi: 10.3897/zookeys.1240.151016
Ocr: tesseract 5.3.0-6-g76ae
Ocr_detected_lang: en
Ocr_detected_lang_conf: 1.0000
Ocr_detected_script: Latin
Ocr_detected_script_conf: 1.0000
Ocr_module_version: 0.0.21
Ocr_parameters: -l eng
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Page_range: 1-38
Pages: 38
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Possible copyright status: In copyright. Digitized with the permission of the rights holder.
Ppi: 300
Source: ZooKeys 1240
Year: 2025